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BERLIN -- A nationalist politician is facing criticism for appearing to suggest the German soccer team isnt German enough.Beatrix von Storch tweeted that perhaps next time the German NATIONAL TEAM should play again? after Germany lost the European Championship semi-final to France Thursday.Her choice of the German word Nationalmannschaft instead of the term Die Mannschaft now commonly used for the squad was seen as criticism of immigrant players.Berlins state interior minister, Frank Henkel, accused her Friday of wallowing in racist prejudices.Von Storch later deleted the tweet but defended it against what she called political correctness.Members of her Alternative for Germany party have also been criticized for disparaging remarks about a black soccer player, suggesting border guards should be allowed to shoot refugees and for downplaying the Holocaust.Cooper Kupp Jersey .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. 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They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division.RIO DE JANEIRO -- USA Sevens mens coach Mike Friday has sent a defiant message to their rivals ahead of Tuesdays start to the competition: We are not here to make up the numbers.Fiji head into the Olympics mens sevens competition as favourites for gold -- a medal of any kind would be their first ever in the Games -- but below them, there are a number of teams who will fancy their chances of coming away with the top honour if the ball bounces in their favour.Friday says there is an Any Given Sunday mentality about the tournament and with this NFL mantra ringing in his players ears, there is a quiet confidence about the mens team.We arent the favourites as Fiji have that tag, Friday tells ESPN. The likes of Australia, New Zealand and Team GB are all in the mix but then there are other teams like France, Argentina and Kenya who will fancy their chances and for us, were confident we can win gold but we respect our opposition and we realise were going up against some super rugby powers. Any team can win it on the day.The margins are so slim between success and failure -- one missed tackle or dare I say it, one poor interpretation of the breakdown can swing ties. Its the nature of the game but what a wonderful event.Team USAs pre-Olympics camp has been hugely beneficial. They played Sonny Bill Williams New Zealand twice in Florida, with the spoils shared, which followed a spell of fine-tuning their fitness and game plan.Though Friday is reluctant to join the trend of declaring his side the fittest theyve ever been, he says were certainly in very, very good condition but it is the gains in their tactics and skills which have improved their medal chances the greatest.Part of the focus has been on recovering physically after the gruelling World Rugby Sevens Series which saw them finish sixth. Friday identified certain areas they need to improve on so their focus has been around technical aspects around the breakdown and ball presentation and whether we look after our own ball or go after the opposition ball.Theyve also evolved their defensive system and have targeted an increased physicality in the contact area. And then there has been the work on the mental side of things where they brought in eexperienced Olympians and outside help to fine-tune their mind set.ddddddddddddWeve undertaken some training with some field hockey Olympians at the academy in Florida so we are more self-aware now, Friday said. Weve also worked with some of the Navy Seal boys on whats important and whats not and how to filter out the distractions.It all starts on Tuesday for Fridays team with Argentina up in their first pool match and he is hoping for an all-court showing; whether its the pace of Carlin Isles, the guile of Madison Hughes or the physicality of Nate Ebner there is a hope that mixed together, they will form the perfect cocktail.Probably our point of difference is we have that balance of physicality, power and out and out pace, Friday said. Were not one or the other. Were not the physicality that New Zealand are, were not the offloading, athletic ability the Fijians are who play with their natural swagger, were not the defensive power South Africa are or have the guile of that Team GB have but instead we have a balance of physicality, power and pace. So our point of difference is the balance we have.A medal of any kind would be a good return for Team USA and would certainly aid the growth and exposure of rugby in the U.S.The 15s is undoubtedly on an upwards curve given the new professional league, the super powers travelling to play on their shores and the ever increasing migration of the Eagles top players joining Europes best sides. And then there are the sevens teams where although the women failed to reach the semifinals they will only improve and the men are fancying their chances of ending up on the podium come Thursday.Hopefully the Games will position rugby to be recognised as the prefect team sport to complement the established super team sports in the U.S so that the athletes who dont make it will have an alternative sporting route to fulfil their sporting ambitions, Friday said. If we can get awareness and buy-in that this sport is played across the country and at high school and college to complement any success then we will awake the sleeping giant! ' ' '